Birmingham crackdown on street noise could silence city centre buskers

National World - LocalTV

Birmingham City Council is consulting on expanding a Public Space Protection Order to curb noise from street busking, preaching, and amplified public speaking in the city centre. The proposal follows complaints from residents, businesses, and landlords, with several key streets now under review.

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00:00If you've ever walked through New Street or Victoria Square, chances are you've heard someone shouting about salvation or strumming Wonderwall.

00:13But the days of amplified noise in central Birmingham could be numbered.

00:17The council wants to expand its use of Public Space Protection Orders to silence what it calls excessive noise.

00:25That means banning instruments, speakers and mic shift megaphones in key city centre streets.

00:31Victoria Square, Cannon Street, Temple Street and New Street are all in the crosshairs.

00:37The current PSPOs are already set to expire in August, but instead of letting them lapse, the council is looking to go bigger.

00:45The justification, noise is apparently scaring off tenants, bothering customers and giving landlords a headache.

00:52In one Kaiser Council officer claimed they suffered hearing loss after getting too close to a speaker.

00:59It's not just an outside nuisance, it's echoing through narrow streets, bouncing off buildings and landing in people's front rooms.

01:07The voluntary code of conduct didn't work and polite chats on the pavement haven't done the trick either.

01:14Still, it's not a total gag order. Political protests, street traders with permits and emergency vehicles won't be affected.

01:23But if you're preaching without paperwork or busking with a boombox, your spot on the high street might be up.

01:30Critics say it risks muting public expression. Supporters say it's about protecting quality of life.

01:36Either way, it raises the volume on the age old row between civic order and street culture.

01:43The other people look more likely, it's one of the biggest ones.

01:48They're not a huge fan. They're not a big fan. The technically are a big fan, but they don't get too close to the societal thing.

01:54Those are big fan, but the белый are not a big fan.

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